National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: fobster on April 07, 2015, 02:09:08 PM

Title: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: fobster on April 07, 2015, 02:09:08 PM
So looking at going all-grain and looking at mash paddles. The plastic one says it's for stirring wort... I'm guessing boiling wort and not just for aerating wort, though at €2 I worry about its longevity but it's certainly cheaper than €25... I saw the steel paddle is cheaper on MyBeerandWine though the HBC 34l mash tun looks the business so with the shipping cost would be looking at ordering everything with them.

Any suggestions welcome! Thanks

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-paddle-plastic-16y-p-80.html

https://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/stainless-steel-mash-paddle-p-2691.html
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: delzep on April 07, 2015, 02:16:04 PM
Steel paddle is more likely to scrape the inner walls of a mash tun
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: Ozbrewer on April 07, 2015, 02:19:09 PM
Depends really - how big is the malt bill? If you are stirring approx. 5kg of grain, then the plastic is fine. Used them for years, and I always had two or three of them as they were cheap - never snapped one then. Now that I double batch -10/11kg of grain, I snapped two plastic ones on my first brew and then went and bought a stainless one as you have listed. It's brilliant and I wouldnt be without it, but if you're mashing in a bag or esky, and only 5/6kg of grain, then plastic is all you need.
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: Garry on April 07, 2015, 02:36:58 PM
I found the plastic paddle too light for mixing the grain properly. It would bend when you stuck it into the bottom of the bed.

You can get a stainless slotted spoon at your local cheapshite shop like this (http://www.heatonsstores.com/s-steel-slotted-spoon-8164808).

For an extra tenner, get yourself a hurley and drill holes in it. It's strong and won't scratch the side of your mash tun.
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: Pheeel on April 07, 2015, 02:39:39 PM
I found a big whisk to be more effective and you can pick them up for not a lot
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: fobster on April 07, 2015, 04:07:20 PM
Sound job lads, there's a few slotted spoons, whisks etc lying around. I already use one for the extract boil. Sorted so!
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: johnrm on April 07, 2015, 05:18:42 PM
Some lads use paint stirrers on drills.
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: Qs on April 07, 2015, 06:39:33 PM
Quote from: johnrm on April 07, 2015, 05:18:42 PM
Some lads use paint stirrers on drills.

In the MLT?  :o
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: Shanna on April 07, 2015, 07:59:18 PM
Consider wood instead of plastic or steel.

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,6281.0.html

Shanna
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: rukkus on April 07, 2015, 08:31:45 PM
I mashed in with one of those big stainless ones yesterday for the first time, it did the job really well.
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: Garry on April 07, 2015, 09:43:28 PM
Hurleys  (https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/mon-6-apr/products-detail-page/ps/p/junior-hurley-3/)currently available in Aldi for €8.99.
Title: Re: Mash paddle - plastic vs steel
Post by: johnrm on April 07, 2015, 09:50:45 PM
Quote from: Qs on April 07, 2015, 06:39:33 PM
In the MLT?  :o
Yep.
https://youtu.be/8KJO7XHBK1g